#Japan #Tokyo #Safety Products #Kids Design Award

Kids Design Award Funding for Child Safety Products

The 20th annual Kids Design Award, organized by the Nonprofit Kids Design Council under the leadership of President Kazunori Sakai, has received an official announcement from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government regarding the full subsidy of entry fees. This initiative encourages the development and dissemination of products that prioritize child safety.

Objective of the Subsidy

The main aim of this funding is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individual entrepreneurs within Tokyo applying for the safety and security improvement category of the Kids Design Award. This support helps enhance safety by encouraging innovations suited to the needs of children.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the subsidy, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
1. Category Compliance: The applicant must enter the ‘Safety and Security Improvement’ category with products recognized within this theme.
2. Business Size: The applicant must be a small or medium enterprise as defined by the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Basic Act.
3. Location: The registered office of the applicant must be located within Tokyo.

Note that some cases may still be excluded even if all criteria are met. For further details, please refer to the guidelines below.

Subsidy Details

The complete application fee of ¥66,000 (tax included) will be subsidized, regardless of the outcome of the judging process.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are required to submit the following documentation:
1. Application form for the “子供の安全に配慮した商品等の顕彰に係る東京都審査料補助” (subsidy for products that consider children’s safety)
2. A current certificate of registration for the applying entity issued within three months of submission. For individual business owners, this includes a declaration of business commencement or closure.
3. Documentation evidencing number of employees such as company brochures or web printouts.

How to Apply

1. Mark the checkbox for the Tokyo examination fee subsidy on the application registration page within the Kids Design Award web portal.
2. Download the application form from the appropriate page on the Kids Design Award website, fill it out, and send it with all other necessary documents via email to the Kids Design Award office.

Application Deadlines

• - Kids Design Award Application: By May 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM.
• - Submission of Required documents for the Tokyo Examination Fee subsidy: Also by May 12, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

Submission Email Address

For submissions, use the following email address: [email protected] directed to the Kids Design Award office.

Note: If the application documents cannot be verified by the deadline, the application will be considered withdrawn. In case of high applicant volumes, subsidies may not be granted due to budget constraints. For detailed instructions, refer to the application guidelines.

Notification of Results

Notifications regarding the subsidy eligibility will be sent via email in mid-June 2026.

Notable Safety Product

One notable recipient of the examination fee subsidy is the 'Push Latch Unit' for delivery boxes by Tochigiya Co., which earned the Tokyo Governor's Award in the previous Kids Design Award.

In conclusion, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's initiative is a significant step in fostering safety-conscious innovations aimed at protecting children. The subsidy not only supports local businesses but also promotes a safer environment for the younger generation. For further details regarding the application and eligibility criteria, visit the following links: Tokyo Safety Products and Kids Design Award.